Interior Refinishing

A Look to Dye For

Tips from Hemmings Muscle Machines

Your car's interior takes a beating from years of use, weather, Fido and harsh UV rays beating down from the sun, particularly if it's a convertible. After 40 years or so, it's probably really showing its age. The vinyl seats and armrests usually suffer the most, followed by the door panels. But many times, depending on where you live, the original door panels, armrests, dash pad, hard plastic parts and so on are intact--only the color has faded. Even if it's only the front seat upholstery that needs to be replaced, you'll likely find that after the new covers are installed, they almost certainly won't match the surviving original parts, since every vinyl material dye lot tends to be slightly different.

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In some cases, new reproduction replacements may be available for your faded parts, though this can be a costly way to correct minor color variations; in other instances, reproduction parts may not even be offered for a particular model, or may not be produced in the color you need.
An excellent alternative to replacement, in these cases, is to remove the intact original parts, thoroughly clean each item and then recolor it with the correct factory color. One company with extensive experience in restoring muscle-era interiors is Just Dashes, known primarily for its dash-pad restoration service. The company's work in dyeing plastic and vinyl interior parts has led to a new line of dyes designed to create the proper finish and color for muscle-era interior pieces, while remaining durable. These dyes are now being offered in kit form so that restorers can perform the recoloring process themselves.
Just Dashes can mix the correct factory color for your interior, regardless of year, make or model; custom colors can be mixed from your supplied color swatch. The only other question is the amount of dye needed, and the Just Dashes techs can provide assistance based on customer input. Kit prices will vary, depending on how much dye you require.
Like doing bodywork prior to painting the exterior, prepping the interior items is the most important part of the process. Spraying the color is easy, but you must have a completely clean surface in order for the dye to adhere effectively. All surface contaminants like silicone, hand oil, nicotine, etc., must be scrubbed away prior to applying the dye. Vinyl material is cleaned differently from hard plastic, and the kit contains everything you need to successfully clean both. Not shown in the kit photo is a pair of rubber gloves, which are included; also not shown is the adhesion promoter for hard plastic parts, which is available separately. Complete printed instructions are also included.
Some restorers fear that spray-on color will never last on vinyl, and that it is destined to eventually scratch or wear off. However, the auto manufacturers have used similar products for decades for many of the colored interior parts of various models with long-lasting results. It's all in the preparation and cleaning of the surface of the parts. Just Dashes has original factory color samples, which can be used to match almost any color you might require. The dye can be applied with the included Preval sprayers or with a compressor and spray gun.
The photos outline the procedures for correctly using the products in the Fade Away kit to achieve professional quality results. We've selected interior parts from several manufacturers, and except for a color change on door panels (something else these products can also be used for), we've sprayed them in their original colors. With a little time and patience, you can achieve similar results at home.
PHOTO 1
The Fade Away kit includes one or more quart cans of color, depending on the size of your interior, along with a spray bottle of professional vinyl cleaner; two Preval sprayers; two plastic bottles for the dye, which attach to the sprayers; a spray mask; a hard bristle brush and a green scuffing pad. The bottle of Vinyl Life Preserver is for use after the recoloring is done.
PHOTO 2
After the part is wiped free of any dust or surface dirt, the cleaner is sprayed on the surface. Then the green scuff pad is used, scouring small areas at a time on this 1976 Chevelle dash pad.
PHOTO 3
The pad not only cleans the grain in the vinyl, but also slightly scuffs the smooth vinyl to give the new dye a better gripping surface. You must get into every nook and cranny to make sure all the areas are clean.
PHOTO 4
For large hard-plastic parts like this 1972-'79 Dodge truck gauge bezel, we will use both the scuff pad and the hard bristle brush. Again, spray on the cleaner and do a small area at a time. For recessed areas, like this imitation stitching, use the brush to get into the crevices and dig out the years of accumulated dirt, nicotine, etc.
PHOTO 5
After the surface is clean, thoroughly rinse it with clean water and let it air dry. You don't want to wipe it down with a towel or other cloth that might leave some chemical residue or lint on the surface. When handling a freshly cleaned part, always wear clean rubber gloves.
PHOTO 6
Small hard-plastic parts, like these GM armrest bases, usually have contoured or recessed areas for handgrips. These areas accumulate a lot of dirt and hand oils, so a few applications of cleaner might be required. Make sure you clean every surface, including the areas covered by the armrest cushion, and then follow up with a thorough flush with clean water. You'll be spraying the entire surface of the part, so it must be completely clean.
PHOTO 7
Our Chevelle dash pad is now dry, so we masked off the emblem recessed into the vinyl. It will be wiped clean once more, and then it's off to the Just Dashes spray booth. This method is for those who have a spray gun and compressor available. The dye can be used directly from the can, with no thinning.
PHOTO 8
We now apply the original factory maroon, making sure all the recesses and edges are completely covered with color. You must be sure not to miss any areas that might be visible once the pad is reinstalled in your vehicle.
PHOTO 9
Here's the black pad after being recolored and allowed to dry. A spray gun makes the coloring go a little faster, but the Preval sprayers will also work just fine on large parts. Once the dye is completely dry, a light coat of Vinyl Life Preserver can be applied to the surface.
PHOTO 10
Back to our hard plastic armrests. After the surface is completely dry, it should be inspected for any residual dirt. To provide a bulletproof bond to the plastic, a coat of Bulldog adhesion promoter is lightly sprayed over the part and allowed to dry.
PHOTO 11
After pouring the dye into the small bottle and installing it on the Preval sprayer, we're ready to spray the part. No priming is required; just push the button at the top to test the spray pattern and then begin. Hold the sprayer about 12 to 15 inches from the part and make several passes, side to side, up and over, until the part is completely and evenly covered.
PHOTO 12
This armrest base looks like new and will provide many more years of service in your vehicle while improving the overall appearance of the interior.
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Now for a large item like this door panel from a 1960 Chevy Biscayne. The owner wanted to change the interior colors, which can be accomplished with Fade Away dyes. The material is inspected for any seam splits, tears or other damage prior to cleaning.
PHOTO 14
After removing the bright metal trim, masking tape is applied to the area that was covered by the trim, followed by masking paper to completely cover the top of the panel. The paper must be wrapped around the edges as well, to prevent overspray.
PHOTO 15
Again, holding the sprayer 12 to 15 inches away from the part and using a light spray, go completely across the part with each pass. Build up several light coats until the color is uniform in all areas and the edges are colored.
PHOTO 16
Here's the color change to red--would you have known it used to be green? Allow the material to thoroughly dry before removing the tape--pulling the tape while the finish is still tacky could lift the dye along the tapeline.
PHOTO 17
We allowed the red to dry for a few hours, and then masked it off and sprayed the white over the lighter green. Once it is completely dry, you can remove the tape and masking paper.
PHOTO 18
While the panel was drying, we used a good chrome polish to bring the trim piece back to life. Obviously, if you have emblems or other trim items on your panels, the process might be a little more involved.
PHOTO 19
Here's an original panel and the freshly color-changed version with its trim polished and reinstalled. The difference is dramatic, and illustrates how easily you can change the color (or colors) of your complete interior.

This article originally appeared in the May, 2010 issue of Hemmings Muscle Machines.